John Cominsky Bio
John Cominsky is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 22, 1995, in Barberton, Ohio, he played college football for the Charleston Golden Eagles before being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Over a six-year professional career, Cominsky appeared for the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions, building a resume that included All-American honors at the collegiate level before retiring from the NFL in 2025 due to a serious knee injury.
Standing roughly 6 feet 5 inches tall and playing around 290 pounds, Cominsky fit the physical profile of a modern edge defender who could line up across from offensive tackles. Although his NFL tenure was shortened by injuries, he remained a respected rotational piece during his healthy seasons and earned a sizable contract extension with Detroit before injuries ultimately ended his career.
Early Life and Background
John Cominsky was born on November 22, 1995, in Barberton, Ohio, a small working-class city south of Akron. He grew up in the same northeast Ohio community where he later attended Barberton High School, developing into a promising multi-sport athlete. The Barberton area has long produced competitive football talent, and Cominsky used his high school years to refine the size and strength that would eventually catch the attention of college scouts.
Coming out of Barberton, Cominsky was regarded as a developmental prospect rather than a blue-chip recruit. His combination of length, frame, and motor, however, gave him the foundation to grow into a bigger role once he entered the college ranks. He chose to continue his football journey at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where the Charleston Golden Eagles compete in the NCAA Division II level.
Path to Professional Football
At the University of Charleston, John Cominsky transformed from a lightly recruited high schooler into one of the top defensive players in the Mountain East Conference. He earned First-team All-MEC honors in both 2017 and 2018, demonstrating consistent production against the run and as a pass rusher. His breakout 2018 campaign also brought him MEC Defensive Player of the Year recognition, validating his work ethic and physical development.
That same season, Cominsky was named an All-American, an honor reserved for the most impactful players across all levels of college football. The award helped elevate his profile ahead of the 2019 NFL draft, where scouts were intrigued by his frame, athleticism, and production despite playing at the Division II level. The Atlanta Falcons ultimately selected him in the fourth round, with the 135th overall pick, signaling their belief that his raw traits could translate to the professional game.
John Cominsky Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
John Cominsky began his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 10 games and recorded 10 tackles along with half a sack, working primarily as a rotational defensive lineman. The Falcons used him in a variety of alignments, allowing him to gain valuable experience against professional offensive tackles while adjusting to the speed of the NFL game.
His second season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cominsky was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Falcons on October 17, 2020, and was activated on October 30. Despite the disruption, he continued to develop within Atlanta’s defensive scheme and remained in the team’s long-term plans heading into 2021.
Atlanta Falcons Tenure (2019–2021)
Cominsky’s most memorable moment with the Atlanta Falcons came in Week 12 of the 2020 season against the Las Vegas Raiders. During the 43–6 victory, he recorded his first career sack, bringing down quarterback Derek Carr. The play served as a milestone for a young defender still searching for a defined role, and it gave Atlanta a glimpse of the pass-rushing potential that had originally made him a draft pick.
After the 2021 season, the Falcons made the decision to move on from Cominsky, releasing him on May 26, 2022. Although his time in Atlanta did not produce headline statistics, his positional versatility, special teams contributions, and flashes of disruption kept him firmly on NFL rosters.
Detroit Lions Era (2022–2024)
On May 31, 2022, John Cominsky was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions, quickly earning a role in their defensive rotation. In his first season with Detroit, he played in 14 games with eight starts and posted 30 tackles, four sacks, and three passes defensed. His ability to play both defensive end and interior positions made him a valuable chess piece for the Lions’ defensive staff.
Following that productive campaign, Cominsky signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract extension with Detroit on March 15, 2023. In 2023, he appeared in 16 games with 11 starts, finishing with 36 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and two sacks. His reliability and consistency earned him a larger role and helped stabilize a defensive line in transition.
The 2024 season, however, brought a major setback. On July 30, 2024, Cominsky suffered a torn MCL in his right knee during a practice, ruling him out indefinitely. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve on August 29, ending his season before it began. On March 31, 2025, Cominsky announced his retirement from the NFL, citing the cumulative impact of injuries.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive lineman, John Cominsky built his reputation on positional versatility, length, and effort. He was comfortable lining up across from offensive tackles as an edge rusher while also sliding inside to handle guards on passing downs. His motor and willingness to contribute on special teams added to his value, and he paired a strong work ethic with a coaching-friendly attitude that helped him earn expanded responsibility in Detroit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of John Cominsky’s career were his 2018 All-American and MEC Defensive Player of the Year honors at Charleston, his fourth-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2019 NFL draft, his first career sack against Derek Carr in 2020, and his two-year, $8.5 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions in 2023. His retirement announcement in March 2025 closed a six-year NFL journey that bridged two franchises and several coaching staffs.
John Cominsky Career Wins
While statistics for defensive linemen are measured in sacks, tackles, and pressures rather than wins alone, John Cominsky compiled a respectable professional resume across six NFL seasons. He recorded his first career sack in 2020 with the Atlanta Falcons and later posted a career-best four sacks during his first season with the Detroit Lions in 2022.
NFL Career Highlights
Cominsky appeared in 50 regular-season games across his NFL career, making starts with both the Falcons and the Lions. His most productive statistical season came in 2022 with Detroit, when he combined 30 tackles, four sacks, and three passes defensed in 14 games. He followed that with 36 combined tackles and two sacks in 2023, the season that preceded his contract extension.
John Cominsky Family
Personal Life
Public information about John Cominsky’s immediate family and personal relationships is limited. He has kept much of his private life away from media coverage throughout his football career, focusing public attention on his work as a professional athlete. He is known to maintain an active presence on social media, where he occasionally shares updates related to his training and post-football interests.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season will not feature John Cominsky on an NFL field. After tearing the MCL in his right knee during a July 2024 practice, he was unable to return to game action, and his placement on injured reserve effectively ended his final contracted year with Detroit. On March 31, 2025, Cominsky publicly announced his retirement from professional football, citing the physical toll that injuries had taken on his career.
Looking ahead, Cominsky’s legacy within the Detroit Lions organization remains tied to his 2022 and 2023 seasons, when he was a reliable starter and a key part of the team’s defensive rotation. His $8.5 million extension reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term value, and his exit from the league closes a chapter for a player who helped bridge two rebuilding phases for both Atlanta and Detroit.
While his on-field future is finished, his journey from a Division II standout at Charleston to a multi-year NFL starter stands as a notable story of perseverance and development. His All-American recognition, two All-MEC selections, and sustained presence on NFL rosters underscore a career that, though shortened, was built on steady growth and resilience.